United States Leaves UN LGBTQ+ Group

A Withdrawal in Line with New Presidential Directives

The United States has decided to withdraw from the United Nations LGBTI Core Group, an international coalition dedicated to defending the rights of LGBTQ+ and intersex individuals worldwide. This decision, effective since February 14, was confirmed by a State Department spokesperson, who told the Washington Blade: “In accordance with recent presidential executive orders, we have withdrawn from the UN group on LGBTI rights.”

A Shift in U.S. Policy on LGBTQ+ Rights

From the start of his administration, President Donald Trump has taken several measures perceived as hostile to LGBTQ+ rights, particularly those of transgender individuals. Among these is an executive order signed on his first day in office titled “Defending Women from the Extremism of Gender Ideology and Restoring Biological Truth in the Federal Government”, which denies the existence of transgender, non-binary, and intersex people. The Trump administration has also cut international aid programs for LGBTQ+ communities and individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Additionally, it has sought to ban gender-affirming healthcare for minors and restrict transgender individuals from participating in school sports based on their gender identity.

The Role of the LGBTI Core Group at the UN

Established in 2008, the LGBTI Core Group works within the United Nations framework to ensure the universal respect of fundamental rights for LGBTQ+ and intersex individuals, with a particular focus on combating discrimination and violence. Its official website states that its main goal is to advocate for protection and equal rights within the UN system.

An International Coalition Still Committed

The group is co-chaired by Chile and the Netherlands and includes numerous member countries such as Albania, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Uruguay. The European Union holds observer status. Several international organizations, including the UN Human Rights Office, Human Rights Watch, and Outright International, also contribute to its efforts.

Read also : A UN Rapporteur Supports Donald Trump’s Decree Excluding Transgender Athletes from Women’s Sports

A Policy Reversal from the Biden Administration

Under President Joe Biden, the United States actively supported thRead alsoe LGBTI Core Group. First Lady Jill Biden even spoke at an event organized by the group last September. In 2016, when he was vice president, Joe Biden himself attended one of their meetings, reaffirming the U.S. commitment to LGBTQ+ rights.

The U.S. withdrawal from this group marks a significant shift in its foreign policy regarding human rights and could have repercussions on international efforts to support LGBTQ+ and intersex individuals.